The Pouya auto parts factory that laid off 1,300 workers in February has now completely shut down.

file photo

ILNA reports that the head of Workers House, Esmail Haghparasti, announced on Saturday the closure of the Pouya factory, located in the city of Qods in Tehran province. The factory had turned out auto parts for Pride and Nissan since 2004.

Haghparasti said the plant was a victim of the "economic crisis" in the car-manufacturing sector and was forced to lay off its 1,300 workers in February and now finally close its doors.

He added that workers with more than five years of seniority at the plant have not been paid since last May.

Changes in Iranian government subsidies coupled with international sanctions have resulted in continued layoffs in the manufacturing sector.

The Esfahan Petrochemical Company shut down in July of 2012, laying off its 700 workers, and the Qazvin auto parts factory was closed in August, adding another 300 workers to the unemployment lines.

ILNA reports that 3,000 workers from Qazvin's manufacturing sector have signed a petition demanding pay increases commensurate with the rate of inflation.

The petition, addressed to Labour Minister Abdolreza Sheikholeslami, indicates that in the past 18 months, since government subsidies were restructured, the cost of living has increased many times, while the average worker's wage has gone down.

The workers also object to delays in the payment of wages and the lack of job security and safety.